Tackling the soaring rates of child tooth decay and toothache has become a problem not only for millions and children and parents, but also for schools.

Shockingly, fewer than four in ten children in England have good oral health, and a recent survey suggested one in five Year 6 primary school children and a third of Year 7 and Year 8 secondary school children experience tooth decay in their permanent teeth.

As teachers know, poor oral health can affect children’s quality of life, sleeping patterns, eating habits, attendance, speech and language development, concentration and confidence.

Brushing up

Analysis included in a report being publishing today with Child of the North on improving children’s oral health also reveals that children who were not considered ‘school ready’ were more likely to have tooth decay, compared to those who were deemed ‘school ready’.

The problems are worse in areas of high deprivation. We know that many parents don’t always have the knowledge or resources to provide better alternatives to high-sugar diets and have difficulty registering with an NHS dentist.

Today’s report calls for a new evidence-based government strategy to tackle the growing problem of poor oral health in children.

It includes the recommendation, alongside proposals such as expanding sugar taxes and banning under-16s from buying sugary energy drinks, to increase targeted programmes such as supervised toothbrushing in schools.

Labour came in for some flak in opposition when they announced plans for more supervised toothbrushing in primary schools. I do understand why many school leaders, teachers and staff feel they are being asked to do more and more to deal with society’s problems.

At the same time, we do need to implement solutions that are shown to work, and evidence from existing supervised toothbrushing programmes shows the improvements they can make to children’s oral health - particularly in more deprived communities.

Why we sometimes need a ‘nanny state’

The introduction of breakfast clubs in primary schools offers an ideal opportunity and environment for toothbrushing to take place.

Experts believe supervised toothbrushing is both clinically and cost-effective. Showing children in school the correct way to brush their teeth, and making it fun, can have a positive impact on children’s oral health.

As part of the government’s mission to boost children’s health and wellbeing, there is an opportunity to expand projects such as BRUSH, which is being used in some primary schools to help support the implementation of supervised toothbrushing programmes. Another project, called BRIGHT, offers interventions for 11- to 13-year-olds to promote toothbrushing through classroom lessons about dental health - and is also having a positive impact.

Funding and support for staff who already face mounting demand on their time and funds is vital, as is providing families with better information and resources to teach toothbrushing skills and healthy habits to their children.

Some will call this ‘the nanny state’ at its worst. I think they’re wrong.

When so many of our children are suffering from tooth decay and its associated impact on school attendance, concentration and good health, the government should not be afraid to intervene.

Schools, as well as children, will feel the benefit.

Anne Longfield CBE is the executive chair of the Centre for Young Lives